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ELDER HELPLINE

If you are seeking assistance for an older adult, and calling from Florida, please call 1-800-96-ELDER. Outside of Florida, visit theFlorida Aging and Disability Resource Center webpage to select the office that covers the county you are seeking help in. The Aging and Disability Resource Center will help you identify organizations that can best meet the needs of you and your family.

Data suggests that one in 10 older adults in the United States experience physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Elder abuse violates older adults’ fundamental rights to be safe and free from violence. In low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of violence is the greatest, the prevalence of elder abuse is likely higher. With the global population of adults older than 60 expected to double to 1.2 billion by 2025, the number of older adults will exceed the number of children for the first time in history. Despite the growing magnitude of elder abuse, it has been an underappreciated public health problem.

How To Report Elder Abuse, Neglect and ExploitationPhone: Call Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). This toll free number is available 24/7. TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf): 1-800-453-5145

Fax: To make a report via fax, please send a detailed written report with your name and contact telephone to 1-800-914-0004. Download the Florida Abuse Hotline’s fax reporting form.

Meet your parents’ neighbors and friends. Exchange contact information and ask them to check on your parent when/if appropriate. Ask neighbors to call you if they see mail or newspapers piling up or any unusual activity.

Gather a list of emergency services, eldercare and related contacts in the community. A list of professionals you can call upon to check on a family member should you not be able to connect with neighbors or friends.

Do a safety evaluation of the home. Are the locks on doors and windows in good working order? Know who has access to a spare key. Make sure there adequate lighting on the outside of the house. Motion detector lights for ‘dark corners’ of the property are often a good idea.

Consider a personal emergency response system. These types of devices can help in a variety of different situations, including home invasion or fire.

Set up a ‘check-in’ time. You can set up a time for your parent to call, text, email or utilize any number of caregiver apps to connect daily.

Families may want to install cameras or motion detectors in the home so family members can check on parents or loved ones any time of the day. There are a number of smart devices on the market to choose from.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and your local Area Agency on Aging. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information. SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential.

Finding the Best Combination of Prescription Savings for You Access to Benefits Coalition helps seniors who qualify find ways to save money on their medications. This online service is fast, free and confidential.

**NEW** Older Americans Act: The Older Americans Act (OAA) provides critical services—such as home-delivered and congregate meals, family caregiver support, in-home assistance, preventive health services, transportation, job training, protection from abuse, and other supportive services—that help about 11 million older adults live as independently as possible. In fiscal year 2019, OAA federal funding was $2.06 billion. Funding for the program has failed to keep up with inflation and increased demand from a rapidly aging population. See the report from AARP.

AgeLine - A searchable electronic database containing detailed summaries of publications about older adults and aging, including books, journal and magazine articles, and research reports.

THE NET IMPACT OF RETIREES ON FLORIDA’S STATE AND LOCAL BUDGETS REPORT 5-16-2013

DISCLAIMERThe links on this page are provided as an educational resource for persons researching aging issues. The presence of the link on this page is not an indication that Florida Council on Aging has endorsed any particular position(s) that may be found among them.